After a week of gray skies and fall-like weather, summer returned Sunday, allowing Monroe Golf Club to shimmer in the sun like only a grand old golf course can.

As the final group on the final day of the final LPGA tournament scheduled for Rochester walked up the 18th fairway, the applause grew for Brittany Lincicome and Suzann Pettersen. And in these final emotional moments, nearly four decades of history and tradition seemed to be marching with them.

Twenty-nine different champions over 38 consecutive years joined them in spirit for this final parade. The late Bob Wegman, the grocery king who didn't live long enough to see his dream of the tournament he attached his name to for 17 years become a major realized, was with them, too.

And while Lincicome, whose monstrous drives led fans to yell "Bam Bam" could have and should have tied a neat bow on her second major, her putter betrayed her. Defending champ Inbee Park, who showed us again that you "putt for dough," defeated her in a playoff, the second year in a row the South Korean had pulled out a win in extra holes.

It was fitting. Rochester just wasn't ready to let go, so the golf gods granted one extra hole, one more chapter of drama as Park joined Lopez and Sheehan as the only back-to-back winners in Rochester.

“It was fitting. Rochester just wasn't ready to let go, so the golf gods granted one extra hole, one more chapter of drama.”

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"It's always an honor to put your name alongside Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan," Park said. "So many people had great memories of this tournament. Now I'm part of the history. It's a special feeling."

The closing ceremony was poignant with bagpipe music, storytelling, gift giving and people thanked. Bob Wegman, thousands of volunteers and Linda Hampton, the 35-year tournament director with the championship good nature, headed that list. "The life of this tournament," co-chairman Jerry Stahl said of Hampton.

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, whose once-hurting tour is humming so well it hummed right out of Rochester, was granted polite applause by a gallery that hadn't forgotten its manners. He came bearing gifts, presenting the Wegman family a frame of letters from Lopez, Paula Creamer and Annika Sorenstam and the autographs of past Rochester champions.

Rotarian Don Alhart of WHAM-TV had the honor of recognizing Locust Hill Country Club, his home club and host for the tournament's first 37 years. And like one of Lincicome's drives, former WHEC-TV anchor and state senate candidate Rich Funke hit the mood of the day right down the middle with this line: "It's not a night to be sad, it's a night to be proud."

For raising $11 million for education and for children with special needs. For growing the game and showing the rest of the golf world how it's done.

"You don't have something in your backyard for 38 years and not take pride in it," Perinton's John Wessely, a volunteer at the 10th tee, said. "It's almost like your child's been kidnapped by someone for higher dollars. We understand the business part of it but hopefully we'll see some more tournaments."

Video: An emotional goodbye

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Fans say goodbye to the LPGA during the final round of the 2014 Wegmans LPGA Championship.
Video by Annette Lein

The LPGA stop in Rochester had been around more than a decade before Bob Wegman took real notice. He was actually a fan of the defunct Corning Classic, said Bill Strassburg, Wegmans vice president. But after attending the third round of the 1989 Rochester International, the 2-handicap player was hooked.

"That day was beautiful," Strassburg said. "Huge crowds, Nancy Lopez was on the leaderboard, and it was the day Patty Sheehan made her double eagle. From then on, it was Bob's tournament."

Now it's KPMG's. The international tax, audit and advisory firm will take on title sponsorship in 2015 with The PGA of America running it. KPMG can justify the expense of a $3.5 million purse and cost of global TV exposure. Wegmans, a regional company, doesn't sell bread and milk in China.

Whan, whose first loyalty is to the players, did his job very well. But Wegmans gave him at least two years to pull together this plan.

"What's great for the LPGA and Mike Whan has said it, Wegmans gave the LPGA enough time to figure out how it was going to take this championship to the next level, and how to get the right sponsorship," Strassburg said.

That's the kind of favor that one shouldn't forget. Like when it comes time to picking a future site for the KPMG Women's PGA Championship after it debuts at Westchester Country Club and starts moving around.

I don't think Whan's magic wand is strong enough to get his tour's players on Oak Hill, which has hosted major men's tournaments since 1956. But PGA ties are strong here. And now that a similarly classic course like Monroe has had a test run and chance to shine as it did, the chances of the women pros returning to town for their major are all the greater today.

A goodbye? More like "until we meet again."

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Players say they hope the LPGA is back in Rochester real soon.
Video by Jeff DiVeronica

Looking back at each LPGA tournament played at Locust Hill Country Club since 1977. The tournament will move to Monroe Golf Club this year, then will move out of the area, marking the end -- at least for now -- of nearly four decades of professional women's golf in Rochester.

Sponsored by

Pat Bradley in 1977.Staff file photo

LPGA History

1977 &1978

1977: It began as a 54-hole tournament at Locust Hill Country Club, with Bankers Trust as the title sponsor responsible for a purse of $75,000, which was big money in women's golf at that time. Future LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley got things started on the right foot by shooting 6-under 213 to edge veterans Kathy Whitworth, Carol Mann, and JoAnne Carner. "I truly feel there's a place for me in the LPGA," Bradley said.

1978: Rochester became part of golf history when LPGA rookie phenom Nancy Lopez set an LPGA Tour record by making the Bankers Trust her fifth consecutive victory. "I know I'll never face this much pressure again," Lopez said.

Jane Blalock in 1979Staff file photo

LPGA History

1979 & 1980

1979: The tournament expanded to a full 72 holes and Sarah Coventry became the title sponsor. Jane Blalock dominated the field with four straight sub-par rounds to win by six strokes. "I wanted to redeem myself for not winning on this beautiful golf course the past two years," she said. Lopez skipped the tournament because the sponsor had changed, a mistake she later owned up to.

1980:Nancy Lopez rekindled her love affair with Rochester by outlasting Pat Bradley by a stroke in a classic duel between future all-time greats. "We could hear the crowd starting wars between themselves as they rooted for both of us," Lopez said. Pittsford's Cathy Morse competed for the first time and she tied for 16th place with another local player, Geneva's Mary Dwyer.

An undated file photo of Nancy LopezStaff file photo

LPGA History

1981 & 1982

1981: Nancy Lopez made it three wins in three consecutive Rochester appearances as she made final-round birdies on holes 13 and 14 which keyed her two-stroke victory over Bradley. "I just wish I could play at Locust Hill every week," she said.

1982: The tournament was re-born with 10 local companies - The Founders - splitting the sponsorship and paying for the purse. The renamed Rochester International drew what was announced as an LPGA record 68,000 spectators and was won by Sandra Haynie who shot a final-round 67 to lap runner-up Lopez. "I know this is Nancy's town, but the fans appreciated good golf no matter which one of our group struck the ball," Haynie said.

An undated file photo of Ayoko Okamoto.Staff file photo

LPGA History

1983 &1984

1983: Japan's Ayoko Okamoto struggled in the fourth round to a 4-over 76, but that was good enough to get her into a playoff, which she went on to win over Kathy Whitworth and Donna White. "Thank you very much. Just lucky," Okamoto said.

1984: More history was made at Locust Hill when Kathy Whitworth earned her 85th career victory, setting an all-time record for professionals on any tour. "If I had to break a record, this is the place I'd pick," Whitworth said. Sam Snead, who won 84 times on the men's tour, called the Locust Hill clubhouse to offer his congratulations.

1985: Pat Bradley rolled in a curling 15-foot putt for a birdie on No. 18 to hold off a late charge by Lopez and win here for the second time. "I don't know how it came from within me to hang on," she said of her battle with Lopez.

1986: Judy Dickinson made an eagle-3 on the 11th hole on Sunday, and that was the key stroke in her one-shot victory over Bradley who made a spirited defense and pushed her career earnings in Rochester past the $100,000 mark. "I'd rather be in Rochester, right? I may just live here, it feels so great," Dickinson said.

Mei-Chi Cheng blasts out of the sand on No. 7 during the final round. Staff file photo / Purcell

LPGA History

1987 & 1988

1987: Little-known Deb Richard led from wire-to-wire and earned her first LPGA victory. I don't think it's really hit me that I've won. All those chances I had in the past got me here," said Richard, who became one of Rochester's favorite champions as she often visited the two sites of the benefitting charities.

1988: The most anonymous champion in the event's history, Mei-Chi Cheng, defeated legends Lopez and Patty Sheehan in a playoff with a birdie at the second hole. "It feels great beating Nancy. There will be big headlines in Taiwan tomorrow," she said.

Patty Sheehan waves to the crowd after her memorable double-eagle on the 17th hole during the third round.Kevin Higley

LPGA History

1989 & 1990

1989: Patty Sheehan started a run of dominance at Locust Hill with a wildly exciting victory, defeating Okamoto in a playoff. The shot of the tournament, and perhaps the history of the event, was struck in the third round when Sheehan holed a 222-yard 5-wood for a double-eagle at the 17th hole. "It was my career shot (her double-eagle Saturday); I love No. 17," said Sheehan.

1990: Patty Sheehan became the second player to successfully defend the title and she did it with style, setting a tournament record with a 17-under total of 271 which included a course record-tying 64 in the second round. Of that score, which put her firmly in control, Sheehan said, "It's just a golfer's dream round."

Patty Sheehan hugs her dad after her victory in 1992. Kevin Higley

LPGA History

1991 & 1992

1991: Rosie Jones hadn't won in three years, but she sizzled on Sunday with a 66 to win, seven years after losing to Whitworth in a playoff in 1984. "It's a relief; finally getting that monkey off my back really was nice," said Jones. A record total of 29 players finished under par.

1992: Patty Sheehan won for the third time in four years, and she set new records in the process. A course-record second-round 63 put her on track for a tournament-record 19-under total of 269, nine shots better than runner-up Lopez. "When you shoot 19-under par, you can't be too disappointed (her goal was 20-under)," said Sheehan.

Lisa Kiggens' only LPGA win came in Rochester in 1994.Kevin Higley

LPGA History

1993 & 1994

1993: Tammie Green matched Sheehan's 63 with one of her own in the third round, but she had to work right to the final hole Sunday to hold off Sheehan who was bidding to become the first player to win the tournament back-to-back twice. "I just felt like I'd been playing well all week - don't get carried away, play steady and solid golf, and that's what I did," said Green.

1994: Lisa Kiggens won only one tournament in her career, and this was it. She fashioned a solid Sunday 66 to edge Dawn Coe-Jones by a stroke. "I figured if I didn't look at the board and didn't know where I stood, I wouldn't put added pressure on myself," Kiggens said.

1995: Patty Sheehan became the new Queen of Locust Hill, surpassing Lopez by winning for the fourth time. Sheehan battled back from an opening 73, her first over-par round at Locust Hill in her last 19 rounds, and closed with 66-69-70 to win by four over Sherri Steinhauer. "Don't you guys (the media) get bored with me? I'm sure you do because there is nothing new to ask," she quipped.

1996:Dottie Pepper needed to play 36 holes on Sunday to claim victory, and she shot 66-71 to beat Annika Sorenstam by two shots. This was before Sorenstam began her dominance of the tour, and it served as her best Rochester finish. "I had some good vibes," Pepper said of the battle against Sorenstam. "I knew I could beat her."

1997: Penny Hammel ended a six-year victory drought by shooting a final-round 68, but she needed Pepper to miss a two-foot putt on the 72nd hole to prevent those two going to a playoff. "I was relieved she missed; I didn't want to go to a playoff with her," said Hammel.

1998: Rosie Jones earned her second Rochester victory, but she needed an extra day to accomplish that feat. For the first time the tournament - now sponsored by Wegmans and renamed the Wegmans Rochester International - went to Monday due to inclement weather, and Jones outlasted Juli Inkster by two shots. "I don't get to win as much as the really great players, so when it comes, you just really have to enjoy it," said Jones.

Meg Mallon at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday during the 2000 tournament.Kevin Rivoli

LPGA History

1999 & 2000

1999: Karrie Webb birdied the last three holes to surge past Cindy McCurdy and win by a shot. "It's a great feeling to know you have to do that sort of thing and then pull it off," said Webb.

2000: Popular Meg Mallon won another rain-plagued event, shooting a tremendous final-round 67 given the soggy conditions to beat Wendy Doolan by two shots. "It was like a U.S. Open grind (miserable conditions including rainstorms and high winds). This was just a soaker," said Mallon. For the first time since the first round in 1981, no one broke 70 on Friday or Saturday.

Karrie Webb waves to fans while walking up the 18th green during the LPGA Rochester International in 2002.AP photo

LPGA History

2001 & 2002

2001: England's Laura Davies shot a final-round 74, but that was good enough to beat Maria Hjorth and Wendy Ward by three strokes for her 60th win worldwide. "My brother rang me up and said, 'You're 66-to-1 this week, are you worth the bet?' " Davies said of the pre-tourney betting line at one of England's legal bookmaking parlors. "I said 'Don't waste your money.' So I said to him last night 'Did you have a bet on me?' and he said 'You told me not to.' "

2002: Karrie Webb began the final round five shots behind leader Mi Hyun Kim, but rallied with a 68 to catch and pass Kim, pulling off the biggest final-day comeback in the 26-year history of the tournament. "I wanted to put it in the hole and put the pressure back on her to make hers," Webb said of the four-foot par putt she made preceding Kim's eight-footer, which she missed.

Kim Saiki reacts after a birdie on No. 15 during the final round of the 2004 tournament.Jamie Germano / Staff photographer

LPGA History

2003 & 2004

2003: Unlike Kim, Rachel Teske didn't blow her big final-round lead. Four shots up at the start of the day, Teske shot a 68 and won by four over hard-charging Lorena Ochoa. "I really wasn't watching the leaderboard at all," Teske said. You usually can get a feeling for whether you're ahead or behind. I felt in control most of the day so I guess it really wasn't an issue. The first time I saw one was on the 17th green."

2004: After 12 long years, Kim Saiki finally won her first LPGA tournament. Only three players have played the tour longer before achieving their first victory, but you couldn't tell that Saiki had never been in this position before. She shot a cool final-round 71 to ease past Kim and Jones by four shots. "It hasn't really sunk in yet," Saiki said. "I think tomorrow I'll feel it and be a little more emotional about it."

With champagne dripping off her hat, Jeong Jang celebrates her win at the 2006 tournament.Jamie Germano / Staff photographer

LPGA History

2005 & 2006

2005:Lorena Ochoa lit it up on Sunday with a dazzling 7-under 65 to run away from teenage rookie Paula Creamer. "There's not much you can do when Lorena birdied six out of seven holes, it was pretty amazing," said Creamer, who finished four shots back. "It's probably the best golf she's played all year and it was the best golf I've seen all year."

2006:Jeong Jang made a clutch birdie at the 71st hole, and then made a clutch par at the 72nd to hold off rookie Julieta Granada by one shot. "I don't know why, but I was more nervous than the first win," said Jang, who won the 2005 Women's British Open. "I was really nervous, from the starting hole to the finishing hole. But it's OK."

Lorena Ochoa hoists the trophy after winning the 2007 tournament in a playoff.Jen Rynda

LPGA History

2007 & 2008

2007:Lorena Ochoa, the world's No. 1-ranked player, made a dramatic eagle at the 71st hole to give her a chance, and when leader In-Kyung Kim missed a par putt at the 72nd, the two players went to a playoff. Not surprisingly, Ochoa won on the second extra hole. "It was a good day; not the beginning of the day, but the end of the day," said Ochoa, who struggled much of the way while shooting a 73.

2008:Eun-Hee Ji came out of nowhere to win her first LPGA tournament with a final-round 67 that leaped her past Suzann Pettersen. Ji became the fifth player in the tournament's 32-year history to earn her first career triumph in Rochester. "This was my first winning ceremony, and it's indescribable," Ji said.

Cristie Kerr celebrates a birdie on the 18th green to cap a dominating performance at the 2010 LPGA Championship. Kris Murante

LPGA History

2009 & 2010

2009: The last time Rochester served as a regular event stop, Jiyai Shin overcame perpetual rain that chased almost all of the gallery away long before she wrapped up a seven-shot romp with a 17-under total of 271, tied for second-best in tournament history. "It's a tough way to end for these ladies," said Colleen Wegman, president of title sponsor Wegmans.

2010: There were big changes -- "major" changes -- for Rochester and Locust Hill as the Wegmans agreed to become title sponsor for the LPGA Championship. And what a first year it was as Cristie Kerr put on a magnificent show. She called it a "dream performance" a couple of times, she also referred to it as "unreal" and "awesome." It was. She shot 19-under 269, matching the Locust Hill record, and her 12-stroke margin of victory was a championship record.

Yani Tseng hits a shot on the second hold during Sunday's final round at the 2011 LPGA Championship.Annette Lein / Staff photographer

LPGA history

2011 & 2012

2011: Kerr couldn't do that again, but Yani Tseng did. Tseng matched Kerr's 19-under 269 score, though she "only" won by 10 shots over Morgan Pressel. Tseng became, at 22, the youngest golfer in history to win four major championships. "It was fun to watch," said Tseng's playing partner, Cindy LaCrosse. "She played amazing. It was really cool. I'd never played with her, so to see what everybody is talking about first-hand was really neat, especially at a major on the final day."

2012: Normalcy returned to Locust Hill as China's Shanshan Feng won by two shots in a wildly exciting tournament where five players had at least a share of the lead in the fourth round. Feng made history, though, becoming the first Chinese golfer, male or female, to win a professional golf tournament in the United States. "I would say first of all, I'm really happy that I won a tournament, and I still can't believe it; it's amazing," said Feng.

Catriona Matthew hugs Inbee Park after a playoff on No. 18 during the final round of the 2013 LPGA Championship.Shawn Dowd / Staff photographer

LPGA history

2013 & 2014

2013: In what turned out to be the 37th and last tournament at Locust Hill, No. 1-ranked Inbee Park needed to play 39 holes on the final day to win. Rain forced the final two rounds to be contested Sunday, and then Park and Catriona Matthew went three playoff holes before a Park birdie ended the day. "I think I was actually really lucky to get in the playoff," Park said after rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 18. "The amount of fairways I was missing today, it's almost a miracle that I won. I think I got a little lucky there, too."

2014: The tournament moved down the road to Monroe Golf Club after 37 years at Locust Hill and the par-72, Donald Ross-designed course did not disappoint in what would be the final LPGA tournament in Rochester for the foreseeable future. Inbee Park defeated Brittany Lincicome in a playoff after Lincicome bogeyed the final hole in regulation. Park became the third woman to repeat as champion (joining Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan) in Rochester history.